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Targeting phenotypic heterogeneity in benign prostatic hyperplasia

Douglas W Strand1, Daniel N Costa2, Franto Francis3

  • 1Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA.

Differentiation; Research in Biological Diversity
|August 12, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treatment is challenging due to cellular differences between patients. Understanding these unique BPH phenotypes is key to developing effective, personalized therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Urology
  • Cell Biology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) affect many elderly males, with limited medical treatment options.
  • Current therapies, including alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, have not significantly improved clinical outcomes since their introduction.
  • Pathological heterogeneity, characterized by unique cellular phenotypes in individual patients, is an underappreciated factor hindering the development of novel BPH targets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review strategic experimental approaches for understanding the cellular pathogenesis of distinct BPH phenotypes.
  • To discuss the incorporation of these cellular insights into clinical practice for improved patient outcomes.
  • To address the failure of developing targeted therapies for personalized medicine due to a lack of cellular and molecular understanding of BPH phenotypes.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes current research on the cellular and molecular basis of BPH.
  • It outlines experimental strategies to dissect the heterogeneity of BPH phenotypes.
  • The review discusses the translation of cellular findings into clinical applications.

Main Results:

  • BPH exhibits significant pathological heterogeneity at the cellular level.
  • Individual patient phenotypes are composed of distinct cell types, contributing to varied disease presentation.
  • A deeper cellular understanding is crucial for advancing personalized medicine in BPH treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Unraveling the cellular pathogenesis of discrete BPH phenotypes is essential for therapeutic advancement.
  • Integrating cellular and molecular insights holds the potential to improve treatment outcomes for BPH.
  • Addressing pathological heterogeneity is critical for developing targeted therapies and personalized medicine for BPH.

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